In 2018, when Abhishek Sharma was playing for the India Under-19 team and was about to represent the India Under-19 team in the World Cup, he requested his father to watch him bat live from the stadium.
But his father Rajkumar Sharma rejected the request and said that he will take the field only when he is able to represent the senior team in Test, ODI World Cup or T20 World Cup.
Abhishek Sharma overcomes the challenge given by his father
As of 2026, Abhishek Sharma is with the senior national cricket team, set to represent the country against arch-rivals Pakistan. The son successfully overcomes the challenge given by his father. Now it is father’s turn to fulfill the promise made eight years ago.
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Rajkumar Sharma along with his wife Manju Sharma at R in Colombo to support Abhishek Sharma on 15 February. Premadasa will be in the stands of the stadium; daughter, Komal Sharma; and son-in-law, Lovish Oberoi.
Speaking to Times of India, Rajkumar said that he watched Abhishek Sharma’s IPL and Team India matches on screen, but he never went to any stadium to see him perform live. Rajkumar will have his first cricket match from the stands in Colombo on 15th February.
“I have watched his IPL matches and a few India matches, but I have never seen him play a World Cup match from the stands. This is my first time,” Rajkumar said.
The prince refused to go to New Zealand
Recalling the day when 16-year-old Abhishek Sharma requested his father to go to New Zealand to watch their Under-19 World Cup game, he immediately rejected his request. The prince wanted to set a high bar for his son so that the young man could dream big. On Sunday, when Abhishek Sharma will take the field against Pakistan for the T20 World Cup match, it will be an emotional moment for the entire Sharma family.
Rajkumar further said, “He wanted us to travel to New Zealand during the Under-19 World Cup, but I did not go. I challenged him that the day he plays for India in the Senior World Cup, ODI, T20I or Test, I will travel to wherever the venue is to watch him play. I broke his heart, but I also gave him a goal in life.”
Abhishek Sharma is ready to compete with Pakistan
For Abhishek Sharma, the initial phase of the T20 World Cup 2026 did not work out as per plan as he suffered a stomach infection, which could have affected his performance against the United States on February 7.
The southpaw returned for the golden duck and then walked off the field due to a stomach upset along with high fever and weight loss. He accompanied them to Delhi for the Namibia match, but was unable to play.
According to media reports, after reaching Delhi, his health became so bad that he had to be admitted to the hospital. His parents moved to Delhi to take care of their son.
The good news for Team India and the Sharma family is that Abhishek Sharma is all set to play against Pakistan. Before the match, he also performed well in the nets.
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